Phylogenetic review of the millipede genus Cherokia Chamberlin, 1949 (Polydesmida, Xystodesmidae)

The millipede genus Cherokia Chamberlin, 1949 is a monospecific taxon, with the type species Cherokia georgiana (Bollman, 1889). The last revision of the genus was made by Hoffman (1960) where he established three subspecies. Here we used molecular phylogenetics to assess the genus and evaluate whet...

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Main Authors: Luisa Fernanda Vasquez-Valverde, Paul E. Marek
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Pensoft Publishers 2022-06-01
Series:ZooKeys
Online Access:https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/81386/download/pdf/
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author Luisa Fernanda Vasquez-Valverde
Paul E. Marek
author_facet Luisa Fernanda Vasquez-Valverde
Paul E. Marek
author_sort Luisa Fernanda Vasquez-Valverde
collection DOAJ
description The millipede genus Cherokia Chamberlin, 1949 is a monospecific taxon, with the type species Cherokia georgiana (Bollman, 1889). The last revision of the genus was made by Hoffman (1960) where he established three subspecies. Here we used molecular phylogenetics to assess the genus and evaluate whether it is a monophyletic group, and if the subspecies are each monophyletic. We included material from literature records and three natural history collections. Newly collected samples were obtained through a citizen science project. Morphological characters underlying subspecies groups—the shape of the paranota, body size, and coloration—were evaluated. A molecular phylogeny of the genus was estimated based on DNA sequences for seven gene loci, and a species delimitation analysis was used to evaluate the status of the subspecies. The documented geographical range of Cherokia in the United States was expanded to include a newly reported state record (Virginia) and about 160 new localities compared to the previously known range. Morphological characters, which included the shape of the paranota and body size that had been historically used to establish subspecies, showed clinal variation with a direct relationship with geographical distribution and elevation, but not with phylogeny. Coloration was highly variable and did not accord with geography or phylogeny. The phylogeny recovered Cherokia as a monophyletic lineage, and the species delimitation test supported the existence of a single species. The subspecies Cherokia georgiana ducilla (Chamberlin, 1939) and Cherokia georgiana latassa Hoffman, 1960 have been synonymized with Cherokia georgiana. The molecular and morphological evidence showed that Cherokia is a monospecific genus with the sole species, Cherokia georgiana, being geographically widespread and highly variable in its morphology.
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spelling doaj.art-823b8c73c52b45ef8573678f220d4b302022-12-22T00:19:13ZengPensoft PublishersZooKeys1313-29702022-06-01110614116310.3897/zookeys.1106.8138681386Phylogenetic review of the millipede genus Cherokia Chamberlin, 1949 (Polydesmida, Xystodesmidae)Luisa Fernanda Vasquez-Valverde0Paul E. Marek1Virginia Tech, Department of EntomologyVirginia Tech, Department of EntomologyThe millipede genus Cherokia Chamberlin, 1949 is a monospecific taxon, with the type species Cherokia georgiana (Bollman, 1889). The last revision of the genus was made by Hoffman (1960) where he established three subspecies. Here we used molecular phylogenetics to assess the genus and evaluate whether it is a monophyletic group, and if the subspecies are each monophyletic. We included material from literature records and three natural history collections. Newly collected samples were obtained through a citizen science project. Morphological characters underlying subspecies groups—the shape of the paranota, body size, and coloration—were evaluated. A molecular phylogeny of the genus was estimated based on DNA sequences for seven gene loci, and a species delimitation analysis was used to evaluate the status of the subspecies. The documented geographical range of Cherokia in the United States was expanded to include a newly reported state record (Virginia) and about 160 new localities compared to the previously known range. Morphological characters, which included the shape of the paranota and body size that had been historically used to establish subspecies, showed clinal variation with a direct relationship with geographical distribution and elevation, but not with phylogeny. Coloration was highly variable and did not accord with geography or phylogeny. The phylogeny recovered Cherokia as a monophyletic lineage, and the species delimitation test supported the existence of a single species. The subspecies Cherokia georgiana ducilla (Chamberlin, 1939) and Cherokia georgiana latassa Hoffman, 1960 have been synonymized with Cherokia georgiana. The molecular and morphological evidence showed that Cherokia is a monospecific genus with the sole species, Cherokia georgiana, being geographically widespread and highly variable in its morphology.https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/81386/download/pdf/
spellingShingle Luisa Fernanda Vasquez-Valverde
Paul E. Marek
Phylogenetic review of the millipede genus Cherokia Chamberlin, 1949 (Polydesmida, Xystodesmidae)
ZooKeys
title Phylogenetic review of the millipede genus Cherokia Chamberlin, 1949 (Polydesmida, Xystodesmidae)
title_full Phylogenetic review of the millipede genus Cherokia Chamberlin, 1949 (Polydesmida, Xystodesmidae)
title_fullStr Phylogenetic review of the millipede genus Cherokia Chamberlin, 1949 (Polydesmida, Xystodesmidae)
title_full_unstemmed Phylogenetic review of the millipede genus Cherokia Chamberlin, 1949 (Polydesmida, Xystodesmidae)
title_short Phylogenetic review of the millipede genus Cherokia Chamberlin, 1949 (Polydesmida, Xystodesmidae)
title_sort phylogenetic review of the millipede genus cherokia chamberlin 1949 polydesmida xystodesmidae
url https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/81386/download/pdf/
work_keys_str_mv AT luisafernandavasquezvalverde phylogeneticreviewofthemillipedegenuscherokiachamberlin1949polydesmidaxystodesmidae
AT paulemarek phylogeneticreviewofthemillipedegenuscherokiachamberlin1949polydesmidaxystodesmidae